Oil saver shock absorber



y 1962 w. E. WEBSTER 3,032,112

OIL SAVER snocx ABSORBER Filed Dec. 29, 1958 a4 l 3 I2 J [0 32 32 5 FIGI 2 2 e IN V EN TOR.

WILLIE E. WEBSTER BY FIG. 3 FIG. 4 ATTOR 3,032,112 01L SAVER SHUCKABSQRBER Willie E. Webster, Olney, 111., assignor to The Pure OilCompany, Chicago, 121., a corporation of flhio Filed Dec. 29, 1958, Ser.No. 783,338 3 Claims. (til. 16684) This invention relates to equipmentfor wiping or stripping wire lines being withdrawn from oil wells inconnection with the removal of swabs or similar tools and equipment fromthe well bore.

When tools are removed from a well bore, they are commonly raised untilthe uppermost portion of the tool strikes the lower extremity of the1ine-stripping apparatus which is attached to the casing head. Thismetal-tornetal impact is injurious to both the tools and the linestripper. The prior art has recognized the desirability of placing ashock absorber or cushion at the lower extermity of the line-strippingapparatus to prevent metalto-metal impact.

The at also recognizes the desirability of using a linestrippingapparatus which consists of two or more symmetrical sections which maybe assembled in operative position on the casing head around the wirecable; or may be removed from the casing head and wire cable withoutfirst having to remove the cable from the line-stripping apparatus. Thismakes it possible to assemble tools in their operative position withinthe well bore before in stalling the line-stripping apparatus, and alsomakes possible removing the line stripper in order to dislodge toolswhich may become hung in the well bore.

It is an object of this invention to provide a shock absorber suitablefor use with split-type line strippers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a line stripper shockabsorber which may be removed from the casing head and wire cablewithout first removing the wire cable from the well bore.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a shockabsorber retainer which is permanently fixed to the line-strippingapparatus.

Briefly, this invention consists of the combination of a split-typeline-stripping apparatus, a bumper pad made of synthetic rubber or othersuitable elastomer, and a bumper retaining member which is permanentlyfixed to the lower extremity of the line-stripping apparatus and firmlyholds the bumper pad in place.

This invention can best be described by reference to the drawings, ofwhich FIGURE 1 is the side elevation and partial section view of atypical line-stripping apparatus and shock absorber.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of FIGURE 1 along line 2-2.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view and FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a bumperpad forming part of the novel apparatus.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of alternate bumper pad construction.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the apparatus of this invention is devisable intotwo symmetrical parts along the line AA. Accordingly, the base platemember is divided into right and left hand portions and 12. Theretaining sleeve 14 is also divided into corresponding right and lefthand sections 16 and 18. Retaining sleeve 14 has an inwardly dependingflange 20 which serves to retain bumper pad 22 within the retainersleeve and in contact with the base plate sections 10 and 12. Referringto FIG- URES 3 and 4, bumper pad 22 is cylindrical with a centralpassage 24- through which the wire cable may be run down into the well.Bumper pad 22 may be made in two or more segments but is preferablyformed in one piece, the radial slit 26 extending from passage 24 to theoutside surface of the bumper pad permits the pad to be expanded so thatit may be slipped on or off of the wire cable. The bumper pad may beconstructed of any oilresistant resilient substance but is preferablymade of a synthetic rubber which is resistant to oil. FIGURE 5 shows analternate bumper pad construction including a groove 28 to accomodatethe inwardly depending flange 20 of retainer sleeve 14. The portion 30of the pad extends below and covers flange 20.

The retainer sleeves, sections 16 and 18, may be formed integrally withthe base plate sections 10 and 12 or they may be welded in place on thebase plate sections with bead weld 32. The right and left band membersof the line-stripping apparatus are held together by nuts and bolts 34.

The removal of the line-stripper shock-absorber apparatus of thisinvention from around a wire cable With- :out removing the wire cablefrom the well may be illustrated as follows: First, the line stripper isunfastened from the casing head in the conventional manner, then nutsand bolts 34 are loosened and removed. The linestripper apparatus withthe shock absorber retaining sleeve segments in place may then beseparated into the right and left hand portions and removed from thewire cable. Bumper pad 22, which remains attached to the cable, may thenbe removed by expanding the bumper pad along the radial slit 26 andpulling it over the wire cable.

It will be noted that instead of using screws or other fasteners to fixthe shock absorber in place, the sleeve is instead made an integral partof the base plate or in the alternative is welded to a base plate. Thisavoids the possibility of screws or other fasteners coming loose anddropping into the well bore where they may cause tools to jam in thewell bore.

I claim:

1. In combination in a line-stripping apparatus, a splittype linestripper housing, the lower portion of which comprises a similarly splitretainer sleeve having an inwardly depending flange at its lowestextremity, and a radially slit bumper pad having a vertical passagetherethrough and a horizontal circumferential groove adapted toaccommodate said inwardly depending flange, the portion of said bumperpad above said groove being within and supported by said sleeve andflange, the portion of said bumper pad below said groove lying below andsubstantially covering the lowest surface of said flange.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the bumper pad is composedof an elastomer.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the bumper pad fitssnugly against the inner wall of said sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this atent UNITED STATES PATENTS 696,747Rigby Apr. 1, 1902 913,286 Heeter Feb. 23, 1909 1,627,945 Wigle May 10,1927 1,646,639 Crowell Oct. 25, 1927 1,823,233 Bell Sept. 15', 19311,858,882 Cole May 17, 1932 2,005,259 Guiberson June 18, 1935 2,657,414Miller et al. Nov. 3, 1953 2,842,386 Regan July 8, 1958

